‘Step Up the Pace’ and end female genital mutilation, UN says
- 2025-02-06 12:00
New York – The United Nations on Monday called for countries to intensify efforts to end female genital mutilation (FGM) by 2030, warning that the harmful practice still affects millions of girls and women worldwide.
In a statement, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said that progress towards eliminating FGM has been “too slow” and that “urgent action” is needed.
“We must step up the pace if we are to end this harmful practice by 2030,” said UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem. “FGM is a violation of human rights and has no place in our world.”
According to the UN, FGM is a procedure that involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia. It is often performed on young girls between the ages of 5 and 15, and can have serious health consequences, including bleeding, infection, and infertility.
The UN estimates that around 200 million girls and women have undergone FGM worldwide, and that more than 3 million girls are at risk of being subjected to the practice each year.
“FGM is a deeply rooted harmful practice that has been passed down through generations,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. “But it is not inevitable. We can end it.”
The UN said that there is a growing movement of countries, communities, and individuals who are working to end FGM. In 2012, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for the elimination of FGM, and more than 30 countries have since passed laws banning the practice.
However, the UN said that more needs to be done to ensure that these laws are enforced and that girls and women who have undergone FGM have access to the support they need.
The UN is calling on governments, civil society organizations, and individuals to work together to end FGM. This includes investing in education and awareness campaigns, providing support to survivors of FGM, and working to change social norms that perpetuate the practice.
“We must not rest until every girl and woman is safe from this harmful practice,” said Dr. Kanem. “Let us step up the pace and end FGM once and for all.”
References:
- UNFPA: Statement on International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
- UNICEF: Statement on International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
‘Step Up the Pace’ and end female genital mutilation, UN says
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